Garrett Hawkins, a promising pitcher hailing from Biggar, Saskatchewan, has achieved a significant milestone by being included in the San Diego Padres’ 40-man roster. This selection grants Hawkins an automatic invitation to participate in the Padres’ spring training camp in Phoenix, Arizona, scheduled for February.
Reflecting on his journey towards professional baseball, Hawkins, a towering 6-foot-5-inch right-hander, expressed his excitement, stating, “It’s definitely what everyone kind of works towards and just know you’re kind of one step closer to making it.” His path to the big leagues has been marked by various challenges and triumphs.
Raised in Biggar, Hawkins began his baseball journey on local teams before moving to Saskatoon at the age of 14. Jordan Draeger, the owner and head coach at Going Yard Baseball Academy in Saskatoon, recalled Hawkins as part of a remarkable pitching group that included other talented players like Logan Hoffman and Connor Sparks.
Draeger highlighted Hawkins’ exceptional focus on honing his pitching skills, emphasizing his meticulous attention to detail and ability to make subtle adjustments without disrupting his overall performance. Hawkins, who received a scholarship to the University of British Columbia, encountered disruptions due to the pandemic, leading him to showcase his talent in the MLB Draft summer league in New Jersey.
Drafted by the Padres in the ninth round of the 2021 MLB June Amateur Draft, Hawkins faced a setback with a pitching elbow injury, necessitating Tommy John surgery in 2023. Despite the challenges, his dedication to rehabilitation at the Padres’ training facility in Arizona paid off, with Hawkins impressively hitting 98 mph on his return in 2024.
Transitioning from a starting pitcher to a reliever, Hawkins found success in the bullpen, showcasing his skills with the Fort Wayne Tincups and later the San Antonio Missions, where he maintained an outstanding 1.69 earned run average. Recognizing his achievements, the Padres named Hawkins their minor league pitcher of the year and added him to the 40-man major league roster.
As Hawkins prepares for the Padres’ spring training camp, he reflects on the valuable lessons learned from his transition to the bullpen, emphasizing the importance of trusting his abilities and not overthinking before entering a game. With a rigorous training regimen in Saskatoon over the winter, Hawkins is focused on perfecting his pitches, including a fastball, slider, and a developing splitter.
Being on the 40-man major league roster provides Hawkins with key advantages, including an invitation to big league spring training and easier pathways for potential call-ups. Looking ahead to the challenges of facing big league hitters in Arizona, Hawkins remains determined and ready to seize every opportunity that comes his way in pursuit of his dream to compete at the highest level in professional baseball.